Image-based component measurement system using light emitting device that outputs variable wavelength and method thereof, and method of plant cultivation method using the same

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to an image-based component measurement system using a light unit that outputs a variable wavelength, a method thereof, and a plant cultivation method using the same. More specifically, the present disclosure provides an image-based component measurement system using a light unit that outputs a variable wavelength, a method thereof, and a plant cultivation method using the same, which collect and analyze data based on image information acquired by emitting light having a specific wavelength using a sheet on which a plurality of quantum dots which can be controlled to have a wavelength necessary for measuring a configuration component of a target object are arranged. Thus, the system and methods are able to measure component content contained in the target object using a low cost and miniaturized device, and cultivate a plant by adjusting content of nutrients of the plant using the measured component content.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No.16/282,336 filed Feb. 22, 2019 which is a continuation application ofInternational Patent Application No. PCT/KR2017/012779, filed on Nov.13, 2017, which claims priority from Korean Patent Application No.10-2017-0025423, filed on Feb. 27, 2017, which is now Korean Patent No.10-1743125, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosureof which is incorporated in reference in its entirety; and ofInternational Patent Application No. PCT/KR2017/012778, filed on Nov.13, 2017, which claims priority from Korean Patent Application No.10-2016-0161290, filed on Nov. 30, 2016, which is now Korean Patent No.10-1730965, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosureof which is incorporated in reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an image-based component measurementsystem using a light unit that outputs a variable wavelength, a methodthereof, and a plant cultivation method using the same. Morespecifically, the present disclosure relates to an image-based componentmeasurement system using a light unit that outputs a variablewavelength, a method thereof, and a plant cultivation method using thesame, which collect and analyze data based on image information acquiredby emitting light having a specific wavelength using a sheet on which aplurality of quantum dots, which can be controlled to have a wavelengthnecessary for measuring a configuration component of a target object,are arranged. Thus, of the system and methods are able to measurecomponent content contained in the target object using a low cost andminiaturized device, and cultivate a plant by adjusting content ofnutrients of the plant using the measured component content.

BACKGROUND ART

Light is an electromagnetic radiation. A frequency of the lightincreases in order of a radio wave of a low wavelength band, amicrowave, infrared (IR) rays, visible (VIS) rays, ultraviolet rays(UV), X-rays, and the like, depending on a length of the wavelength.Light is widely used for spectroscopic analysis depending on eachwavelength band, where the infrared rays are classified into nearinfrared rays (NIR), medium infrared rays (MIR), and far infrared rays(Far Infrared), and all can be used to measure an energy change due toan absorption-based molecular vibration motion of a material to analyzean object.

In particular, a near-infrared spectroscopic method, which is atechnique that utilizes a near-infrared absorptive property of theobject to predict components of interest, is widely used not only inagriculture, food, and feed fields, but also in chemical, biochemical,cosmetic, medical, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, polymer, paper andtextile fields, and is showing a great value thereof. In order torealize the near-infrared spectroscopic method, various kinds ofnear-infrared spectroscopic analysis devices have been researched anddeveloped.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Conventional spectroscopic analysis apparatuses are disadvantageouslyexpensive. As consumer's interest in various foods including plantsincreases, the components of interest vary depending on regions,environments, or growth conditions. Therefore, it is necessary toanalyze the components in order to confirm quality and nutrientsrequired by the consumer.

Since it generally takes a long time to collect and test samples andanalyze the components, and an experimental apparatus for analyzing thecomponents is expensive, a non-expert cannot easily perform the analysisof the components. Therefore, there is a need for a device and a methodthat can perform a simple and low-cost component analysis.

The present disclosure is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and anobject of the present disclosure is to provide an image-based componentmeasurement system using a light unit that outputs a variablewavelength, which can measure component content contained in an objectusing a low cost and miniaturized device by collecting and analyzingdata based on image information acquired by emitting light having aspecific wavelength using a sheet on which a plurality of controllablequantum dots are arranged so as to have a wavelength necessary formeasuring a component of the object, a method thereof, and a plantcultivation method using the same.

The objects of the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limitedto the above-mentioned objects, and other objects not mentioned can beclearly understood by those skilled in the technical field to which thepresent disclosure pertains from the following description.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an image-basedcomponent measurement system using a light unit that outputs a variablewavelength, comprises a variable wavelength light unit that outputslight having a wavelength necessary for analyzing a component of atarget object; an image acquiring unit that acquires image informationof the target object; an image analyzing unit that processes an imageacquired by the image acquiring unit and analyzes an absorptionwavelength and a reflection wavelength of the target object to estimatea component content of the target object; a control unit that controlsthe variable wavelength light unit, the image acquiring unit, and theimage analyzing unit to allow light having a wavelength corresponding toa component of the target object to be detected to be output through thevariable wavelength light unit, adjusts image acquisition timing of thetarget object in the image acquiring unit, receives data acquired byanalyzing the image information of the target object from the imageanalyzing unit, and determines whether to exist a component included inthe target object and a content thereof; a storage unit that stores datawhich is required by the variable wavelength light unit, the imageanalyzing unit, and the control unit; and an input and output unit thatreceives a component to be analyzed with respect to the target objectfrom a user and outputs an analysis result of the received component tothe user. The variable wavelength light unit comprises at least onelight source and a wavelength changing unit that is spaced from thelight source by a predetermined distance and comprises a quantum dot foremitting light corresponding to a predetermined wavelength under acontrol of the control unit.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, an image-basedcomponent measurement method using a light unit that outputs a variablewavelength comprises selecting a component of a target object to bemeasured; checking a wavelength band corresponding to the selectedcomponent; changing a wavelength of the light unit to a checkedwavelength band; acquiring an image of the target object; processing andanalyzing the acquired image; estimating content of the selectedcomponent according to an analysis result; and outputting componentcontent results. In the adjusting of the wavelength of the light unit,an irradiation region of a wavelength changing unit including a quantumdot for emitting light corresponding to a predetermined wavelength isadjusted such that light having a selected wavelength is output.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a plantcultivation method using an image-based component measurement systemcomprises selecting a target component of a plant; checking a wavelengthband corresponding to the selected component; changing a wavelength of alight emitting device having a variable wavelength to the checkedwavelength band; acquiring an image of the plant; processing theacquired image; estimating content of the target component of the plantby analyzing the processed data; outputting component content results;determining whether or not the target component which is contained inthe plant reaches a predetermined target value; adjusting a cultivationenvironment condition if the target component which is contained in theplant does not reach the predetermined target value; and reflectingcomponent measurement results and the adjustment of the cultivationenvironment condition into a growth model of a relevant plant. In theadjusting of the wavelength of the light emitting device having thevariable wavelength to the checked wavelength band, an irradiationregion of a wavelength changing unit including a quantum dot foremitting light corresponding to a predetermined wavelength is adjustedsuch that light having a selected wavelength is output.

According to an image-based component measurement system and a methodthereof using a light unit that outputs a variable wavelength accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to measurecontent of a component included in a target object by using a low-costand small-sized device.

Meanwhile, if a configuration component of a plant (crop) is grasped byusing a device which can perform a simple and low-cost componentanalysis through a component analysis measurement, a growth conditionmay be controlled by controlling a fertilizer component or by grasping anutrition state, and since the plant is directly picked up withoutphysical and chemical processing, time and cost are reduced andimmediate feedback is possible.

That is, even if an accuracy is slightly lower than that of an expensiveapparatus, there is an effect that it is possible to immediately knowthe content result and whether or not the component is contained.

In addition, according to the plant cultivation method using the lightunit that outputs the variable wavelength according to one embodiment ofthe present disclosure, it is possible to grasp the amount of content ofthe nutrients contained in the plant and to reflect into a growth modelwhen the plant (crop) grows, and there is an effect that crops which arerequired for patient food, baby food, diet, and the like and have tocontain satisfactory nutrients and the like in particular for diabetes,hypertension, cancer, and the like may be cultivated in ahealth-customized manner therethrough.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating a quantum dot used in thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of an example embodiment of animage-based component measurement system which uses a light unit thatoutputs a variable wavelength according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is an example graph illustrating a correlation between absorptionvalues or reflection values of wavelengths which can be acquired fromimage information used in the present disclosure and a concentration(content) of actual components.

FIG. 4A is a configuration diagram illustrating an example embodiment ofthe light unit of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating a first example embodiment of thelight unit that outputs the variable wavelength according to oneembodiment used for the present disclosure.

FIG. 4C is a detailed configuration diagram of a wavelength changingunit 421 illustrated in FIG. 4B.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a second example embodiment of thelight unit that outputs the variable wavelength according to theembodiment used in the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a third example embodiment of the lightunit that outputs the variable wavelength according to the embodimentused in the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram illustrating another embodiment of thelight unit of FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a first example embodiment of a lightunit that outputs a variable wavelength according to another embodimentof the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a second example embodiment of thelight unit that outputs a variable wavelength according to anotherembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example embodiment of animage-based component measurement method which uses the light unit thatoutputs the variable wavelength according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example embodiment of a plantcultivation method which uses the image-based component measurementsystem according to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure is susceptible to various modifications andalternative forms, and specific embodiments thereof will be illustratedby way of examples in the drawings and will herein be described indetail.

It should be understood, however, that the present disclosure is notintended to be limited to the particular embodiments but includes allmodifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spiritand the scope of the present disclosure.

When an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” toanother element, the element may be directly connected or coupled toanother element, but it is to be understood that other components mayexist therebetween.

Meanwhile, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected”or “directly coupled” to another element, it is to be understood thatother elements do not exist therebetween.

The terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing aparticular embodiment only and is not intended to limit the presentdisclosure.

The singular expression includes plural expressions unless the contextclearly describes otherwise.

In the present application, it is to be understood that the term“include”, “have” or the like is intended to specify existence of thefeature, number, process, operation, configuration element, component orcombination thereof described in the specification and does not excludethe existence or addition possibility of one or more other features,numbers, processes, operations, configuration elements, components, orcombinations thereof.

Unless defined otherwise, all terms, which are used herein and includetechnical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as things commonlyunderstood by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosurebelongs.

Terms such as those defined in a commonly used dictionary are to beconstrued as having a meaning consistent with the meaning in the contextof the relevant art and are not to be construed as ideal or overlyformal in meaning unless explicitly defined in the present application.

Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described in more detailwith reference to the accompanying drawings.

Prior to this, terms and words used in the present specification andclaims should not be construed as limited to ordinary or dictionaryterms and should be construed in light of meaning and conceptsconsistent with the technical idea of the present disclosure, based onthe principle that the inventor can properly define concept of the termin order to describe the disclosure in the best possible way.

In addition, unless otherwise defined, the technical terms andscientific terms used herein have the meanings as commonly understood bythose skilled in the art to which the present disclosure belongs, anddescription on the known function and configuration that mayunnecessarily blur the gist of the present disclosure in the followingdescription and the accompanying drawings will be omitted.

The following drawings are provided by way of examples such that thoseskilled in the art can fully understand the spirit of the presentdisclosure.

Therefore, the present disclosure is not limited to the followingdrawings and may be embodied in other forms.

In addition, the same reference numerals designate the sameconfiguration elements throughout the specification.

It is to be noted that the same configuration elements in the drawingsare denoted by the same reference numerals wherever possible.

FIGS. 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating a quantum dot used in thepresent disclosure.

A quantum dot is a semiconductor crystal in which quanta have beensynthesized to a nanometer (nm) scale. When ultraviolet rays (bluelight) are applied, the quantum dots exhibit various colors depending onthe sizes of the particles even when the particles are of the samecomponent, and such a property is better exhibited in semiconductormaterials than in regular materials. Elements such as cadmium, cadmiumsulfide, cadmium selenide, and indium phosphide, which have a strongtendency to exhibit the above-mentioned property, are utilized inquantum dot semiconductor crystals. A recent implementation includes azinc-selenium-sulfur alloy (ZnSeS) enveloped around an indium phosphidecore to avoid the use of the heavy metal cadmium.

As illustrated in FIG. 1A, if the quantum dot is small, the quantum dotemits a visible light having a short wavelength such as green, and asthe size increases, the quantum dot emits the visible light having alonger wavelength such as red. In general, the bandgap energy iscontrolled according to the size of the quantum dot, owing to thequantum confinement effect, and thereby, energy of various wavelengthsis emitted. That is, the quantum dot emits light as the energy level ofthe electrons is lowered within the quantum dot, and the larger thequantum dot is, the narrower the gap between energy levels is, whereby ared color corresponding to a longer wavelength and a relatively lowenergy is emitted. (Source of FIG. 1A: http://informationdisplay.org)

Referring to FIG. 1B, a principle of the quantum dot is that, in amaterial with clusters of quanta, particularly in semiconductormaterial, an application of energy from ultraviolet rays or the likecauses the electrons within the material to move to a higher energylevel by way of a quantum jump and then emit energy to go back down to alower energy level, the above process being repeated continuously. Here,energy of various wavelengths is emitted depending on the size of thequantum dot. If the wavelength (energy) is within the visible region(380 nm to 800 nm), then various colors visible to the eye are emittedas wavelengths of energy forms.

That is, if the quantum dot absorbs light from an excitation source andreaches an energy-excited state, the quantum dot emits energycorresponding to an energy band gap of the quantum dot. Therefore, bycontrolling the size or material composition of the quantum dot, it ispossible to control the energy band gap, and thereby, light can beemitted in any of the regions from the ultraviolet region to theinfrared region.

The quantum dot may be produced by a vapor deposition method such as ametal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) method or a molecularbeam epitaxy (MBE) method, or may be produced by a chemical wetsynthesis method. Since the quantum dots produced by the chemical wetsynthesis method are dispersed in a solvent in a colloidal state, thequantum dots are separated from the solvent through centrifugation, andthe separated quantum dots can be dispersed in a prepared metal-organicprecursor solution. Here, the quantum dots can be stabilized by bondingwith an organic matter of the metal-organic precursor.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example embodiment ofan image-based component measurement system 10 using a light unit thatoutputs a variable wavelength according to the present disclosure.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the image-based component measurement systemusing the light unit that outputs the variable wavelength according tothe present disclosure includes a variable wavelength light unit 210, animage acquiring unit 220, an image analyzing unit 230, a control unit240, a storage unit 250, and an input and output unit 260.

The variable wavelength light unit 210 outputs light having a wavelengthnecessary for analyzing components of a target object.

The image acquiring unit 220 acquires image information of the targetobject.

For example, the image acquiring unit 220 includes an image capturingdevice such as a camera.

The image analyzing unit 230 processes an image acquired by the imageacquiring unit 220 to analyze an absorption wavelength and a reflectionwavelength of the target object.

The control unit 240 controls each of the variable wavelength light unit210, the image acquiring unit 220, and the image analyzing unit 230,outputs light having a wavelength corresponding to a component to bedetected of the target object through the variable wavelength light unit210, controls image acquisition timing of the target object in the imageacquiring unit 220, and receives data in which the image information ofthe target object is analyzed from the image analyzing unit 230 todetermine existence and content of the component which is included inthe target object and is intended to be analyzed. The storage unit 250stores data required by the variable wavelength light unit 210, theimage analyzing unit 230, and the control unit 240.

That is, the storage unit 250 stores data necessary for the image-basedcomponent measurement system 10.

Meanwhile, FIG. 2 illustrates that the data is stored in the storageunit 250 included in the image-based component measurement system 10,but the storage unit may also be implemented in a database system orcloud which is provided separately via wired or wireless communication.

The input and output unit 260 receives a component to be analyzed withrespect to the target object from a user and outputs an analysis resultof the input component to the user.

FIG. 2 illustrates that the data is input and output via a separatelyprovided user terminal 200, but it is also possible for the data to beinput and output via input and output means provided in the image-basedcomponent measurement system 10.

If the target object is irradiated with light having a wavelengthchanged according to a component to be analyzed from the variablewavelength light unit 210 under the control of the control unit 240, theimage analyzing unit 230 can measure a reflection value, a fluorescencevalue, and the like from the image information (image) transmitted fromthe image acquiring unit 220 and grasp the component included in thetarget object.

In a case of a plant, existence and content of nutrients N, P, K, Ca,Mg, Fe, Zn, and the like for the plant growth can be grasped andspecific quality components included in the plant, which areanthocyanin, ascorbic acid, carotenoid, lutein, and the like, can begrasped and utilized for a growth control.

For example, it is possible to measure the content of the anthocyanin byapplying light having wavelengths of 550 nm and 700 nm and measuringreflection values.

In addition, it is possible to measure contents of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe,Mn, Zn, and Cu by measuring reflection values of light havingwavelengths of 400 to 1100 nm.

FIG. 3 is a graph illustrating a correlation between absorption valuesor reflection values of wavelengths acquired from the image informationused in the present disclosure and a concentration (content) of actualcomponents.

In FIG. 3, the absorption value or the reflection value of a specificwavelength acquired from the image information of the plant isillustrated on the y-axis, and component information acquired byprocessing the plant and extracting the anthocyanin component isillustrated on the x-axis.

The closer the R value is to 1, the stronger the correlation is, and thegraph illustrates that the R value is as high as 0.9455.

Through the above-described experiment, a correlation equation betweenthe absorption value or the reflection value of the wavelength acquiredfrom the image information and the content of the actual component canbe derived, and the storage unit 250 stores the correlation equation andthe data stored in a history, and a configuration component can bemeasured from absorption values and reflection values of the specificwavelength acquired through image processing under the control of thecontrol unit 240.

FIG. 4A is a configuration diagram illustrating an example embodiment ofthe variable wavelength light unit of FIG. 2 according to the presentdisclosure.

As illustrated in FIG. 4A, the variable wavelength light unit usingquantum dots comprises a light emitting unit 410, a wavelength changingunit 420, a driving unit 430, and a control unit 240.

The light emitting unit 410 comprises at least one light source, and,for example, a plurality of light sources may be arranged in a matrixform. The light source comprises an LED emitting white or blue light.

The wavelength changing unit 420 is spaced apart from the light emittingunit 410 by a predetermined distance and comprises quantum dots thatemit light corresponding to a predetermined wavelength in each of aplurality of separated regions of the wavelength changing unit 420,which in turn correspond to each of the light sources or correspond toeach column or each row of the light sources.

The driving unit 430 is configured to adjust a position of the lightsource or the wavelength changing unit 420 so as to change a region ofthe wavelength changing unit 420 irradiated by the light source, and oneor more driving units can be provided.

The control unit 240 controls an operation of the driving unit 430 tochange a wavelength outputted from the variable wavelength light unitusing quantum dots.

Specifically, the control unit 240 is configured to change the positionof the wavelength changing unit 420 or the light emitting unit 410 inconsideration of information regarding the wavelengths and mixedproportion of wavelengths that vary according to the growth phase of theplants and information regarding the wavelengths outputted as a resultof the position control of the wavelength changing unit 420 or lightemitting unit 410, thus changing the wavelengths outputted from thelight emitting device.

That is, the variable wavelength light unit using quantum dots emitslight having wavelengths that may be varied by a combination of multiplewavelengths.

The variable wavelength light unit using quantum dots may furthercomprise a distance adjusting unit 450. The distance adjusting unit 450adjusts the distance between the light emitting unit 410 and thewavelength changing unit 420 according to the control of the controlunit 240.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the variable wavelength light unit used inthe present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 4B, 4C,5, and 6.

FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating a first embodiment of a light unitthat outputs a variable wavelength according to one embodiment used forthe present disclosure, and FIG. 4C is a detailed configuration diagramof the wavelength changing unit 421 illustrated in FIG. 4B.

As illustrated in FIG. 4B, the wavelength changing unit 421 comprises afirst region 422 which allows the wavelength of the light source 411 tobe outputted as it is, a second region 423 including quantum dots foremitting a red color, a third region 424 in which quantum dots foremitting a red color and quantum dots for emitting a green color arestacked, and a fourth region 425 in which quantum dots for emitting ared color, quantum dots for emitting a violet color, quantum dots foremitting a green color, and quantum dots for emitting a yellow color arestacked.

Although the figure illustrates only the region including quantum dotsfor emitting a red color, regions including quantum dots for emitting agreen color and a blue color (not illustrated) can also be included.

The wavelength changing unit 421 may comprise a region including quantumdots (not illustrated) in which two or more types of quantum dots forred, green, and blue colors are mixed together to emit a new arbitrarycolor (for example, yellow, violet, or the like).

In the fourth region 425 in which a plurality of layers formed with thequantum dots are stacked together, the quantum dots that absorb and emitlonger wavelengths may be stacked closer to the light source 411, or thequantum dots that absorb and emit longer wavelengths may be stackedfurther away from the light source 411.

The wavelength changing unit 421 may further comprise an optical film426 for protecting the plurality of separated regions 422 to 425 and acolor filter 427 for increasing the color purity of light passingthrough the plurality of separated regions 422 to 425.

The driving unit 430 may adjust the position of the wavelength changingunit 420 or the light emitting unit 410 in the x and y directions suchthat a region of the wavelength changing unit 420 irradiated by thelight source is changed, and a distance adjusting unit (not illustrated)for adjusting the distance between the light source 411 and thewavelength changing unit 421 may adjust the position in the z direction.

As illustrated in FIG. 4C, the first embodiment of the plant growthlight emitting device for providing variable wavelengths using quantumdots comprises a light emitting unit 410, a wavelength changing unit420, a driving unit 430, and a control unit 240.

The light emitting unit 410 comprises at least one light source 411, andas an example, a plurality of light sources are arranged in the form ofa 7×7 matrix.

The wavelength changing unit 420 is spaced apart from the light emittingunit 410 by a predetermined distance and is illustrated as four hexagonscorresponding to each light source 411, and each hexagonal regioncomprises quantum dots for emitting light corresponding to apredetermined wavelength.

The driving unit 430 is configured to adjust a position of thewavelength changing unit 420 in the x and y directions on a row-by-rowbasis such that a region of the wavelength changing unit 420 irradiatedby the light source is changed, and one or more driving units may beprovided.

The control unit 240 is configured to control the operation of each ofthe one or more driving units 430 to change the wavelength outputtedfrom the plant growth light emitting device for providing variablewavelengths using quantum dots.

While FIG. 4a illustrates an example where the driving unit 430 controlsthe wavelength changing unit 420 on a row-by-row basis to change theirradiated region, it is possible to control the wavelength changingunit 420 on a column-by-column basis, and it is also possible to controlthe position of the light emitting unit 410 on a row-by-row basis orcolumn-by-column basis to change the irradiated region.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a second embodiment of a light emittingdevice for growing plants having variable wavelengths using quantum dotsaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the second embodiment of the plant growthlight emitting device for providing variable wavelengths using quantumdots comprises light emitting unit 510, a wavelength changing unit 520,a driving unit 530 and a control unit 240.

The light emitting unit 510 comprises at least one light source 511, andfor example, a plurality of light sources are arranged in the form of a7×7 matrix.

The wavelength changing unit 520 is spaced apart from the light emittingunit 510 by a predetermined distance and is illustrated in a four-lineform corresponding respectively to each row of the light source 511,with each region of line comprising quantum dots for emitting lightcorresponding to a predetermined wavelength.

The driving unit 530 is configured to control a position of thewavelength changing unit 520 in a diagonal direction on a row-by-rowbasis to change the region of the wavelength changing unit 520irradiated by the light emitting unit 510, and one or more the drivingunits may be provided.

The control unit 240 controls the operation of each of the one or moredriving units 530 to change the wavelengths outputted from the plantgrowth light emitting device for providing variable wavelengths usingquantum dots.

While FIG. 5 illustrates the driving unit 530 as controlling thewavelength changing unit 520 on a row-by-row basis to change theirradiation regions, it is also possible to control the position of thewavelength changing unit 520 on a column-by-column basis, and it is alsopossible for the driving unit 530 to control the position of the lightemitting unit 510 on a row-by-row basis or a column-by-column basis tochange the irradiated regions.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a third embodiment of a light emittingdevice for growing plants having variable wavelengths using quantum dotsaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the third embodiment of a light emittingdevice for growing plants having variable wavelengths using quantum dotscomprises a light emitting unit 610, a wavelength changing unit 620, adriving unit 630 and a control unit 240.

The light emitting unit 610 comprises at least one light source 611. Asan example, a plurality of light sources may be arranged in the form ofa 7×7 matrix.

The wavelength changing unit 620 is spaced apart from the light emittingunit 610 by a predetermined distance and is illustrated as an octagondivided into eight regions corresponding to the light sources 611respectively, with each region having quantum dots that emit lightcorresponding to a predetermined wavelength. Here, the shape of eachlight source 611 may be circular.

That is, each wavelength changing unit 620 corresponding to a respectivelight source 611 has eight triangular shapes arranged about a centralpoint, and each region includes quantum dots for emitting lightcorresponding to the predetermined wavelength.

The driving unit 630 is configured to rotate the wavelength changingunit 620 to change the region of the wavelength changing unit 620irradiated by the light source 611, and the driving units 620 areprovided in the same number as the wavelength changing units 620.

The control unit 240 controls the operation of each of the driving units630 to change the wavelengths outputted from the plant growth lightemitting device for providing variable wavelengths using quantum dots.

While FIG. 6 illustrates an example where the driving unit 630 changesthe irradiation region by rotating the wavelength changing unit 620, itis also possible for the driving unit 630 to control the position of thelight source 611 to change the irradiation region.

For example, the driving unit 630 may be configured to rotate throughthe attraction and repulsion obtained using an electromagnet, of whichthe polarity may be changed according to the flow of current, and can bedesigned such that the wavelength changing unit 620 or the light source611 can be rotationally moved by way of the rotating driving unit 630.

A method of changing the irradiation region by rotating the wavelengthchanging unit 620 by means of the driving unit 630 rotating under thecontrol of the control unit 240 may be understood by referring to theconfiguration diagram of a portion 600 of the plant growth lightemitting device for providing variable wavelengths using quantum dots.

The rotating driving unit 630 may be designed to move the rotated memberin the z-axis direction. Therefore, the rotating driving unit 630 mayalso be used as a distance adjusting unit for adjusting the distancebetween the light source 611 and the wavelength changing unit 620.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a light emitting device for growingplants having variable wavelengths using quantum dots according toanother embodiment of the present disclosure.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the plant growth light emitting device forproviding variable wavelengths using quantum dots comprises a lightemitting unit 710, a wavelength changing unit 720, and a control unit240.

The light emitting unit 710 may comprise at least one light source, anda plurality of light sources may be arranged in the form of a matrix.

The wavelength changing unit 720 is spaced apart from the light emittingunit 710 by a predetermined distance and includes quantum dots that emitlight corresponding to a predetermined wavelength in each of a pluralityof separated regions, which in turn correspond to each of, each columnof, or each row of light sources.

The control unit 240 controls the operation of the light emitting unit710 to change the wavelengths outputted from the plant growth lightemitting device for providing variable wavelengths using quantum dots.

Specifically, the control unit 240 controls the on/off state or theactivation time (turn-on time) of each light source of the lightemitting unit 710 according to the growth phase, in consideration ofinformation regarding the different wavelengths and mixed proportions ofwavelengths needed for different growth phases of the plants andinformation regarding the outputted wavelengths obtained for differentpositions of the light emitting unit 710, thereby controlling thewavelength outputted from the light emitting device. It is also possibleto control the intensity of the corresponding wavelength by adjustingthe light intensity of each light source. The on/off state of the lightsource may be adjusted by a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal forcontrolling the light source, and the light intensity of the lightsource may be controlled by, for example, a dimmer which is a lightadjustment device.

That is, the plant growth light emitting device for providing variablewavelengths using quantum dots outputs light with the wavelength variedby combining multiple wavelengths.

The plant growth light emitting device for providing variablewavelengths further comprises a distance adjusting unit 750. Thedistance adjusting unit 750 adjusts the distance between the lightemitting unit 710 and the wavelength changing unit 720 according to thecontrol of the control unit 240.

Below, embodiments of a plant growth light emitting device for providingvariable wavelengths using quantum dots according to another embodimentof the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 8and 9.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a first embodiment of a light emittingdevice for growing plants having a variable wavelength using quantumdots according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, the first example implementation of the plantgrowth light emitting device for providing variable wavelengths usingquantum dots comprises light emitting unit 810, a wavelength changingunit 820 and a control unit 240.

The light emitting unit 810 comprises at least one light source 811,and, for example, a plurality of light sources are arranged in the formof a 7×7 matrix.

The wavelength changing unit 820 is spaced apart from the light emittingunit 810 by a predetermined distance and is illustrated as including atleast one or more hexagonal regions corresponding to the light sources811, respectively, with each hexagonal region including quantum dots foremitting light corresponding to a predetermined wavelength. The quantumdot region may have another shape such as a triangle, a square, and acircle as well as the hexagon.

Specifically, each light source 811 may correspond to a region thatincludes quantum dots for emitting colors having different wavelengthsand may also correspond to a region in which at least two or more typesof quantum dots for emitting different colors are combined together.

The wavelength changing unit 820 may further comprise an optical film(not illustrated) for protecting the plurality of separated regions anda color filter (not illustrated) for increasing the color purity of thelight passing through the plurality of separated regions.

The control unit 240 controls the operation of each of the light sources811 to change the wavelength outputted from the plant growth lightemitting device for providing variable wavelengths using quantum dots.

Specifically, the control unit 240 controls the on/off state or theactivation time (turn-on time) of each light source of the lightemitting unit 810 according to the growth phase, in consideration ofinformation regarding the different wavelengths and mixed proportions ofwavelengths needed for different growth phases of the plants andinformation regarding the outputted wavelengths obtained for differentpositions of the light emitting unit 810, thereby controlling thewavelength outputted from the light emitting device. It is also possibleto control the intensity of the corresponding wavelength by adjustingthe light intensity of each light source.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a second embodiment of a light emittingdevice for growing plants having a variable wavelength using quantumdots according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, the second example implementation of the plantgrowth light emitting device for providing variable wavelengths usingquantum dots comprises light emitting unit 910, a wavelength changingunit 920 and a control unit 240.

The light emitting unit 910 comprises at least one light source 911,and, for example, a plurality of light sources are arranged in the formof a 7×7 matrix.

The wavelength changing unit 920 is spaced apart from the light emittingunit 910 by a predetermined distance and is illustrated as including atleast one or more linearly shaped regions each corresponding to a row oflight sources 911, where each linearly shaped region includes quantumdots for emitting light corresponding to a predetermined wavelength.

Specifically, the rows of light sources 911 may correspond,respectively, to regions including quantum dots for emitting colors ofdifferent wavelengths or to regions in which at least two or more typesof quantum dots emitting different colors are combined.

The wavelength changing unit 920 may further comprise an optical film(not illustrated) for protecting the plurality of separated regions anda color filter (not illustrated) for increasing the color purity oflight passing through the plurality of separated regions.

The control unit 240 controls the operation of each row of or each ofthe light sources 911 to change the wavelength outputted from the plantgrowth light emitting device for providing variable wavelengths usingquantum dots.

Specifically, the control unit 240 controls the on/off state or theactivation time (turn-on time) of each light source of the lightemitting unit 810 according to the growth phase, in consideration ofinformation regarding the different wavelengths and mixed proportions ofwavelengths needed for different growth phases of the plants andinformation regarding the outputted wavelengths obtained for differentpositions of the light emitting unit 910, thereby controlling thewavelength outputted from the light emitting device. It is also possibleto control the intensity of the corresponding wavelength by adjustingthe light intensity of each light source.

While FIG. 9 illustrates a setup in which the wavelength is changed bycontrolling the operation of each row of light sources 911 or each ofthe light sources 911, it is also possible to control the operation ofeach column of light sources 911.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example embodiment of animage-based component measurement method which uses a light unit thatoutputs a variable wavelength according to the present disclosure.

First, a component of a target object to be measured is selected(S1001).

Thereafter, whether or not there is wavelength band information on theselected component is determined (S1002).

If it is determined in step S1002 that there is the wavelength bandinformation on the selected component, the wavelength of the light unitis adjusted to a wavelength band corresponding to the selected component(S1003).

Thereafter, an image of a target object is acquired (S1004).

In step S1004 of acquiring the image of the target object, the image ofthe target object is acquired in a state in which there is light havinga wavelength necessary for analyzing a component to be measured, or theimage of the target object is acquired in a state in which lightdisappears after the light is emitted from the variable wavelength lightunit 210.

Thereafter, image processing and analysis for the acquired image areperformed (S1005).

At this time, only the reflected light to be measured remains and noiseis removed through a preprocessing process of each image for eachwavelength, and thereby, a reflectance of each measurement point foreach wavelength is acquired.

Thereafter, content of the selected component is estimated from acorrelation equation between a reflectance value for each measurementpoint for each wavelength and the reflectance and component stored in adatabase (S1006).

Thereafter, a result of the component content is output (S1007).

Meanwhile, if it is determined in step S1002 that there is no wavelengthband information on the selected component, a candidate group wavelengthband is checked through document data or an experiment (S1008).

A method of checking the candidate group wavelength band through theexperiment includes a method of measuring images of various wavelengthsand comparing the measurement result with a direct component analysisresult such as an extraction method.

For example, a data processing technique such as a partial least squaresdiscriminant analysis (PLS-DA) is used.

By using this method, the candidate group wavelength band information oneach component is acquired and stored.

The wavelength of the light unit is adjusted to the candidate groupwavelength band (S1009), the processing proceeds to step S1004, and nextstep is performed.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example embodiment of a plantcultivation method which uses an image-based component measurementsystem according to the present disclosure.

First, a target component of a plant to be measured is selected (S1101).

Thereafter, whether or not there is wavelength band information on theselected component is determined (S1102).

If it is determined in step S1102 that there is the wavelength bandinformation on the selected target component, the wavelength of thelight unit is adjusted to a wavelength band corresponding to theselected component (S1103).

Thereafter, an image of the plant is acquired (S1104).

In step S1104 of acquiring an image of the plant, the image of the plantis acquired in a state in which there is light having a wavelengthnecessary for analyzing a component to be measured, or the image of theplant is acquired in a state in which light disappears after the lightis emitted from the variable wavelength light unit 210.

Thereafter, image processing and analysis for the acquired image areperformed (S1105).

At this time, the reflected light to be measured remains and noise isremoved through a preprocessing process of each image for eachwavelength, and thereby, a reflectance of each measurement point foreach wavelength is acquired.

Thereafter, content of the selected component is estimated from acorrelation equation between a reflectance value for each measurementpoint for each wavelength and the reflectance and component stored in adatabase (S1106).

Thereafter, a result of the component content is output (S1107).

Thereafter, whether or not the content of the selected target componentreaches a predetermined target value is determined (S1108).

If the component contained in the plant reaches the predetermined targetvalue, harvest or cultivation is continued (S1109).

Meanwhile, if the component contained in the plant does not reach thepredetermined target value, a cultivation environment condition isadjusted (S1110).

Thereafter, the component measurement result and the adjustment of thecultivation environment condition are reflected in a growth model of arelevant plant (S1111).

Meanwhile, if it is determined in step S1102 that there is no wavelengthband information on the selected target component, a candidate groupwavelength band is checked through document data or an experiment(S1112).

A method of checking the candidate group wavelength band through theexperiment includes a method of measuring images of various wavelengthsand comparing the measurement result with a direct component analysisresult such as an extraction method.

For example, a data processing technique such as a partial least squaresdiscriminant analysis (PLS-DA) is used.

By using the method, the candidate group wavelength band information oneach component is acquired and stored.

The wavelength of the light unit is adjusted to the candidate groupwavelength band (S1113), the processing proceeds to step S1104, and nextstep is performed.

Although a plant cultivation method of using an image-based componentmeasurement method and an image-based component measurement system whichuse a light unit that outputs a variable wavelength according to anembodiment of the present disclosure is described, it is also possibleto realize a computer-readable recording medium storing a program forimplementing the plant cultivation method of using the image-basedcomponent measurement method and the image-based component measurementsystem which use the light unit that outputs the variable wavelength,and a program stored in the computer-readable recording medium storingthe program for implementing the plant cultivation method of using theimage-based component measurement method and the image-based componentmeasurement system which use the light unit that outputs the variablewavelength.

That is, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art thatthe plant cultivation method of using the image-based componentmeasurement method and the image-based component measurement systemwhich use the light unit that outputs the variable wavelength may beprovided in a state of being included in a recording medium which can beread by a computer by tangibly embodying a program of commands forimplementing the plant cultivation method.

In other words, the plant cultivation method may be implemented in theform of a program command that can be executed through various computermeans so as to be recorded in a computer-readable recording medium.

The computer-readable recording medium may include a program command, adata file, a data structure, and the like, alone or in combination.

The program commands recorded in the computer-readable recording mediummay be specifically designed and configured for the present disclosureor may be known and available to those skilled in the computer software.

An example of the computer-readable medium includes a magnetic mediumsuch as a hard disk, a floppy disk, and a magnetic tape, an opticalmedium such as a CD-ROM and a DVD, a magneto-optical medium such as afloptical disk, and a hardware device specifically configured to storeand execute a program command such as a ROM, a RAM, a flash memory, anda USB memory.

The computer-readable recording medium may be a transmission medium suchas light, a metal line or a wave guide including a carrier wave fortransmitting a signal that designates a program command, a datastructure, and the like.

An example of the program command includes not only a machine languagecode generated by a compiler, but also a high-level language code thatcan be executed by a computer using an interpreter or the like.

The hardware device may be configured to operate as one or more softwaremodules to perform operations of the present disclosure and vice versa.

The present disclosure is not limited to the above-describedembodiments, and it goes without saying that the scope of application ofthe present disclosure is various and that the present disclosure may beembodied in various forms without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe disclosure as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A variable wavelength light emitter comprising:at least one light source; a wavelength changing film spaced apart fromthe at least one light source by a predetermined distance and comprisinga plurality of regions, each of the plurality of regions correspondingto each of, each column of, or each row of the at least one lightsource; a driving motor configured to change an irradiation region ofthe wavelength changing film illuminated by the light source; and aprocessor configured to control an operation of the driving motor toadjust a wavelength of output light from the wavelength changing film,wherein the plurality of regions of the wavelength changing film areseparated either in rows or in columns, and the driving motor moves thewavelength changing film either in a row direction or in a columndirection to change the irradiation region of the wavelength changingfilm illuminated by the light source.
 2. The variable wavelength lightemitter of claim 1, wherein each region of the wavelength changing filmhas quantum dots corresponding to a predetermined wavelength, and thewavelength changing film comprises at least one of a first region havingquantum dots for outputting red light, a second region having quantumdots for outputting green light, a third region having quantum dots foroutputting blue light, and a fourth region having at least two of thequantum dots for outputting red light, quantum dots for outputting greenlight, and quantum dots for outputting blue light.
 3. The variablewavelength light emitter of claim 2, wherein the wavelength changingfilm further comprises at least of a fifth region having a layeredstructure of at least two of the first to fourth regions, and a sixthregion in which light emitted by the light source is output withoutchanging a wavelength of the light.
 4. The variable wavelength lightemitter of claim 3, wherein, in the fifth region, a region havingquantum dots corresponding to a longer wavelength is positioned far fromthe light source.
 5. The variable wavelength light emitter of claim 3,wherein a region having quantum dots corresponding to a longerwavelength in the fifth region is positioned adjacent to the lightsource.
 6. The variable wavelength light emitter of claim 1, furthercomprising a distance adjusting circuit configured to adjust a distancebetween the at least one light source and the wavelength changing film.7. The variable wavelength light emitter of claim 1, wherein theplurality of regions of the wavelength changing film are separated linescorresponding to rows of the at least one light source, and the drivingmotor moves the wavelength changing film in a diagonal direction tochange the irradiation region of the wavelength changing filmilluminated by the light source.
 8. The variable wavelength lightemitter of claim 1, wherein the plurality of regions of the wavelengthchanging film are separated eight triangular shapes corresponding to theat least one light source, and the driving motor rotates the wavelengthchanging film to change the irradiation region of the wavelengthchanging film illuminated by the light source.
 9. The variablewavelength light emitter of claim 8, wherein the light source has acircular shape.
 10. A wavelength changing film comprising: a pluralityof regions separated in rows or in columns, wherein each region of thewavelength changing film has quantum dots corresponding to apredetermined wavelength, and the wavelength changing film comprises atleast one of a first region having quantum dots for outputting redlight, a second region having quantum dots for outputting green light, athird region having quantum dots for outputting blue light, and a fourthregion having at least two of the quantum dots for outputting red light,quantum dots for outputting green light, and quantum dots for outputtingblue light.
 11. The wavelength changing film of claim 10, wherein thewavelength changing film further comprises a fifth region having alayered structure of at least two of the first to fourth regions. 12.The wavelength changing film of claim 11, wherein the wavelengthchanging film further comprises a sixth region in which light emitted bythe light source is output without changing a wavelength of the light.13. The wavelength changing film of claim 11, wherein, in the fifthregion, a region having quantum dots corresponding to a longerwavelength is positioned far from the light source.
 14. The wavelengthchanging film of claim 11, wherein a region having quantum dotscorresponding to a longer wavelength in the fifth region is positionedadjacent to the light source.
 15. The wavelength changing film of claim12, further comprising an optical film for protecting at least two ofthe first to sixth regions.
 16. The wavelength changing film of claim12, further comprising a color filter for increasing a color purity ofthe light output from the wavelength changing film.